The Lucky One

Is there really such thing as a lucky charm? The hero of Nicholas Sparks's new novel believes he's found one in the form of a photograph of a smiling woman he's never met, but who he comes to believe holds the key to his destiny. The chain of events that leads to him possessing the photograph and finding the woman pictured in it is the stuff of love stories only a master such as Sparks can write.

The Last Song

Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alientated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him.

The Best of Me

In the fall of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths.

Dear John

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life - until he meets Savannah, the girl of his dreams. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who has captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist.

The Longest Ride

91 year-old Ira Levinson is kept concious after a car wreck by visions of his late wife, Ruth, who recounts stories of their lifetime together. A few miles away, at a local rodeo, Sophia Danko, a senior at Wake Forest, meets a young cowboy named Luke. Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.

The Choice

Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life, including boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies, he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door.

The Guardian: Booktrack Edition

Julie Barenson's young husband left her two unexpected gifts before he died - a Great Dane puppy named Singer and the promise that he would always be watching over her. Now four years have passed. Still living in the small town of Swansboro, North Carolina, 29-year-old Julie is emotionally ready to make a commitment to someone again. But who?

The Rescue

When confronted by raging fires or deadly accidents, volunteer fireman Taylor McAden feels compelled to take terrifying risks to save lives. But there is one leap of faith Taylor can't bring himself to make: He can't fall in love...

True Believer

Can the mysteries of the human heart ever be unravelled? Pursuing a scientific explanation for a disturbing and unexplained phenomenon, Jeremy's sceptical nature is thrown off course when he meets Lexie, the town librarian. As they work together, ghostly occurrences and passionate moments converge, forcing Jeremy to realise that there are some truths science cannot explain, as he finally appreciates the pleasures of exploring the heart.

A Bend in the Road

Recently selected Best Author by readers of Entertainment Weekly, Nicholas Sparks is one of America's preeminent storytellers. Now, Sparks spins a tale about a man, a woman, and the devastating secret that threatens to keep them apart.

The Notebook

At 31, Noah Calhoun, back in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At 29, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle.

A Walk to Remember

It was 1958, and Landon had already dated a girl or two. He even swore that he had once been in love. Certainly the last person in town he thought he'd fall for was Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. Then a twist of fate made Jamie his partner for the homecoming dance, and Landon Carter's life would never be the same.

Message in a Bottle

Divorced and disillusioned about relationships, Theresa Osborne is jogging when she finds a bottle on the beach. Inside is a letter of love and longing to "Catherine", signed simply "Garrett". Challenged by the mystery and pulled by emotions she doesn't fully understand, Theresa begins a search for this man that will change her life. What happens to her is unexpected, perhaps miraculous - an encounter that embraces all our hopes for finding someone special, for having a love that is timeless and everlasting.

See Me

Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot. At 28, he's focused only on walking a straight line - getting his teaching degree, working out at the gym religiously, and avoiding all the places and people that proved so destructive in his earlier life. The last thing he's looking for is a serious relationship. But when Maria Sanchez crosses paths with him on a rainswept night in North Carolina, his plans are upended in a way that will rattle the foundations of his carefully structured life.

Two by Two

At 32 Russell Green has it all: a stunning wife, a lovable six-year-old daughter, a successful career as an advertising executive, and an expansive home in Charlotte. He is living the dream, and his marriage to the bewitching Vivian is the center of that. But underneath the shiny surface of this perfect existence, fault lines are beginning to appear, and no one is more surprised than Russ when he finds every aspect of the life he took for granted turned upside down.

Three Weeks with My Brother

In January 2003, Nick Sparks and his brother Micah set off on a three-week trip around the world. It was to mark a milestone in their lives, for at 35 and 36, respectively, they were now the only surviving members of their family. As Nick and Micah travel the globe, the intimate story of their tragic family legacy unfolds in the details of the untimely deaths of their parents and only sister.

Come Sundown

The Bodine ranch and resort in western Montana is a family business, an idyllic spot for vacationers. A little over thirty thousand acres and home to four generations, it's kept running by Bodine Longbow with the help of a large staff, including new hire Callen Skinner. There was another member of the family once: Bodine's aunt, Alice, who ran off before Bodine was born. She never returned, and the Longbows don't talk about her much. The younger ones, who never met her, quietly presume she's dead.

The Shack

Mackenzie Allen Phillips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later, in this midst of his great sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack one wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change his life forever.

Against All Odds

Taking chances is part of life, but when you bet your future against the odds, it's a high risk game. Kate Madison's stylish resale shop has been a big Soho success, supporting her and her four kids since her husband's untimely death. Now they are grown and ready to forge lives of their own. And they all choose to play against the odds, to their mother's dismay.

Why we think it’s a great listen: The most celebrated performance in all of Audible’s history, The Help has nearly 2,000 5-star reviews from your fellow listeners. We hear the print book’s not bad, either. In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women - mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends - view one another.

Love Story: A Novel

From the day they met, John and Elizabeth were destined to fall in love. Their whirlwind romance started when they were young college students and lasted nearly 30 years - until Elizabeth died of cancer. So when John Baxter is asked to relive his long-ago love story with Elizabeth for his grandson Cole's heritage project, he's not sure he can do it. The sadness might simply be too great.

Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

The Mistress

Natasha Leonova's beauty saved her life. Discovered on a freezing Moscow street by a Russian billionaire, she has lived for seven years under his protection, immersed in rarefied luxury, while he pursues his activities in a dark world that she guesses at but never sees. Her home is the world, often on one of Vladimir Stanislas's spectacular yachts manned by scores of heavily armed crew members. Natasha's job is to keep Vladimir happy, ask no questions, and be discreet.

Publisher's Summary

Love hurts. There is nothing as painful as heartbreak. But in order to learn to love again you must learn to trust again.

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet unassuming, Katie is determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community. But even as Katie starts to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts her….

Watched movie trailer thinking it looked good so decided to read book first. It was lucky I did otherwise I might have missed out on a great book. Movie makers really know how to kill a book. In book, enjoyed the flow and good natured characters apart from the husband of course. What a phsyco kookoo! Loved the unexpected twist at the end. I would have liked to have seen more action from Alex; given his history but oh well. Still good. The movie killed everything about it and turned it into some rushed jumbled mangled mess. I didn’t even like how they changed character names. How pointless. This is definitely one book which has movie potential but sadly flopped. So, recommend book and whatever you do, stay away from movie!

I completely loved the way we can find romance, courage, family trust and new beginnings in this book.

Any additional comments?

It's amazing how we get hooked to the story. We laugh, we cheer... We want a happy ending and it comes, but not exactly the way we're expecting. The story is great from the beginning to the end, but the end definitely comes with a great surprise. I've also watched the movie. The story was adapted and many things changed. It turned out really nice as well. My tip is: read the book and then watch the movie for comparisons. Both versions come differently, but they're both worth of your time.

Would you try another book from Nicholas Sparks and/or Rebecca Lowman?

Sparks: never unless I was totally convinced that this book was the exception, not the rule.Lowman: definitely. She reads in a pleasant voice, and she is good with the dialects (as far as my Swedish ear can tell, that is). Not her fault that the book is so bad.

Would you ever listen to anything by Nicholas Sparks again?

See above.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Rebecca Lowman?

No, she was excellent.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes, the basic story of trying to get (and stay) away from an abusing husband was indeed thrilling at times.

Any additional comments?

(Well, I guess this is the review part.) It is sad to see how such a promising story is made so totally conventional and boring. The thriller parts are ok, and for natural reasons you really feel for the protagonist, but the author does not create any spark in the "Safe Haven" love story whatsoever. And even more serious, he does not *show* us what everyone is feeling and thinking, only constantly *telling* us. While that works reasonably ok for getting inside the (disturbed) mind of the abusive husband, it makes for a very one-dimensional novel. The name does not help, I see no Sparks here.<br/><br/>The paper thin characters were all so conventional as well, like they were all rounded up from a Lassie movie from the 50s. Granted, the protagonist does a lot of the action stunts herself, but the values leaping off the pages are all about family values, adoring girls and strong men, and it is hard to realise that this is a bestseller from today rather than from another era.The conventionality extended to the plot as well. While we did not know the exact details (would it be Colonel Mustard using the Candlestick in the Library, or...?), the plot was so predicable. **Spoiler warning, pass to next paragraph if you want to be kept in the dark until you figure it out yourself.*** You have to be totally clueless even for the supernatural twist, although it looks as if it is supposed to be a surprise. (Not to mention how totally unnecessary to the story it is.)<br/><br/>The film Sleeping with the Enemy, although being from the early 90s, was so much less conventional, and more thrilling. And it featured Julia Roberts. Not perfect in any way shape or form, you should pick it up any time before enduring this syrup of a tale. Too bad, since the theme is no doubt a very serious one.

Would you consider the audio edition of Safe Haven to be better than the print version?

Don't get a chance to stop and read print being a working mum, but it was a great listen. The first Nicholas Sparks book I read was the Notebook and i stayed up all night reading, i wanted to stay up all day listening but commitments couldn't.<br/><br/>

What did you like best about this story?

I love that mostly sparks makes his male leads such loveable characters, that you would want in your life.

I don't write reviews, but I felt compelled to write about this particular book. It is written beautifully. I could not put it down and spent most of my weekend listening to it. I have listened to several audible books and this is by far the best yet. The narration is very well done, in fact, probably the best I've listened to as of yet, subtle and believable. The book holds you right to the very end and I am so pleased that I found this author and novel.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

richard

gainsborough, United Kingdom

1/23/13

Overall

"Safe Haven"

This was the best book i've ever listened to. It's left me wanting more of his novels. AWESOME!!!!!!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Melissa M

7/11/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"A Thrilling and Emotional Ride"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

There are a lot of highs and lows in this book.This is a book where you'll easily become emotionally connected and involved in the story and where you'll start to care about the characters and what happens to them. There are little surprises here and there. Some sweet and romantic, some shocking and thrilling. But this is defiantly worth a read.

What other book might you compare Safe Haven to, and why?

Its unlike any book I've read before.

Have you listened to any of Rebecca Lowman’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not but I will in the future.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this book constantly when I brought it. Its an exciting book that kept me on the edge of my seat I was happy as the romance began and I felt very involved in Katie/Erin told her story.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Kirsty

United Kingdom

1/10/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"A great listen and a great narrator"

Would you consider the audio edition of Safe Haven to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the book.

What did you like best about this story?

There are plenty of highs and lows. The characters are very appealing but not too perfect. There are little surprises here and there. The story doesn't fit too neatly into one category.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I loved the scenes with Jo the best.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The relief after the danger was satisfying but I loved the ending.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Emma Christie

7/18/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Love, love, love this book!"

I was gripped right from the start listening to this and really enjoyed the book throughout. I would recommend highly

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Char

7/13/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Another enjoyable tale"

I really liked this book. Good to listen to. A bit of a surprising/odd end but enjoyable all the same

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Amanda

St Pierre de Cole, France

6/28/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Loved it!"

Would you consider the audio edition of Safe Haven to be better than the print version?

I haven't read it, so can't comment, however, if I see it on offer .......

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

They did make a film of this book. My tag line would be:<br/>Trust no-one, everyone has secrets!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Eva

London, United Kingdom

4/1/13

Overall

"Depressing"

I was really looking forward to this. However hearing about a woman getting beaten by a horrible husband was not my cup of tea. The romance couldn't match the depressing bits.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

jessica

4/24/16

Overall

"really captivating!"

Really good story and well read!Found it hard to stop listening, very plot twisty... ;)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

cherzz

4/8/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Fab Narrator, great story"

The narrator delivers the emotion with her voice professionally .The story spreads out unexpected, Happy ending.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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